Responsible Service of Alcohol FAQs

Applicants for the following licence types - or for the transfer of an existing licence or permit - must have completed an approved RSA course or online refresher course prior to a licence being granted:

• general
• on-premises
• packaged liquor
• late night (general, on-premises and packaged liquor)
• restaurant and cafe
• full club
• restricted club
• Producer's
• renewable limited.

The list below identifies the individuals will need to complete an RSA training course. If applying as:

• individuals - all natural persons
• partnerships - all partners
• body corporate (companies, incorporated associations, cooperatives and municipal councils) - the person who is or who will be in management and control of the licensed premises and who will run the day-to-day operations of the business. Note: The VCGLR requires the name of this person as part of the application
• any natural person to be approved as a nominee.

The VCGLR has the discretion to exempt some licensees from the requirement to do RSA training.

The VCGLR may either exempt a licensee or class of licensees without an application or may grant an application for an exemption.

An exemption form can be found on the Exemption from RSA training requirements.

Licensees subject to the RSA training requirement will need to ensure they keep a record of the following information about staff serving liquor:

• the name of the licensee and if the licensee is a body corporate the name of the responsible person at the licensed premises
• the name of each person who is engaged in the sale and service of liquor and the date on which each person first sold or served liquor on the premises
• the most recent RSA certificate or RSA refresher certificate showing staff engaged in the sale and service of liquor have completed an approved RSA course in the last 3 years.

This information must be readily accessible and available for inspection at any time. This includes access to the device, if using an electronic register, where the RSA program register is stored.

The VCGLR has created a template RSA Program Register (XLSX, 20.23 KB) that venues can use electronically or in hard copy to ensure they have all the information required. Alternatively, licensees can create their own.

You must complete an initial approved face-to-face RSA training program. Subsequently to remain certified you must complete the free RSA online refresher course within three years of completing your last RSA program.

Many Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are approved to deliver the face-to-face course in Victoria. For a complete list of RTOs that deliver the approved course, refer to the Responsible Service of Alcohol training page.

RSA certification is mandatory for licensees and staff selling, offering or serving liquor for general, on-premises, late night and packaged liquor licences.

It is also compulsory in other situations where there is a condition on the liquor licence requiring the employment of RSA trained staff or if you are applying for a new liquor licence.

Note, a person under the age of 18 can obtain an RSA qualification but must wait until they are 18 to use it. See Under-18 patrons on licensed premises for more information.

Licensees and staff subject to mandatory RSA requirements have one month from the date on which they first sell, offer for sale or serve liquor on the licensed premises to complete an RSA program. The certification is valid for three years; a free RSA online refresher course must be completed within three years of completing the last RSA program.

If you have completed an RSA course in another state of Australia, you can apply to do a bridging course through the VCGLR'S RSA online refresher. Once you have completed the online refresher course your RSA certificate will be recognised in Victoria. However, to apply to do the bridging course, your interstate RSA certificate must meet the following criteria:

• not older than three years
• approved by that state or territory liquor licensing authority
• permits the holder of the qualification to work in any class/type of licensed premises
• the original RSA certificate was attained through face-to-face training.

If your interstate RSA certificate does not meet the above criteria, your application to complete the bridging course will be declined.

Liquor legislation differs in each state and territory. You will have to check with the licensing authority in that state.

Please see the list of interstate liquor licensing authorities below:

If you require a reprint of your RSA certificate, please submit an enquiry via the contact us page.

There is a charge of $16.50 (including GST) for a replacement certificate.

To login and complete the refresher you will need the certificate number from your original certificate. If you do not know your certificate number please call us on 1300 182 457 and we can look you up in the database.

A completed refresher certificate will be generated which you can use as evidence of completion of the RSA.

The RSA refresher certificate is considered the most recent RSA certificate and as such meets the requirements of the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 and VCGLR.

Currently, it is not a legal requirement to change the name on your Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate.

However, should you wish to change it, please fill out the contact us form. You will need to mail a copy of the appropriate identification documents (such as marriage certificate or statutory declaration) to:

Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
GPO Box 1988
Melbourne VIC 3001